Lavatory sink construction

ABSTRACT

A lavatory, sink, tank, or the like, having a fluid-containing basin with a hose or pivotally mounted fluid inlet spigot dimensioned to extend to a position overlying the lateral edges of the basin. The basin itself is contoured with at least two oppositely disposed splash columns along the side walls thereof, positioned adjacent to the side walls, where the pivotally mounted fluid inlet spigot radius and side wall meet, the columns being arcuate in horizontal cross section along the side walls, and contoured so that water impinging upon the top surface of the column from the fluid inlet nozzle or hose will be deflected towards the opposite side of the basin. In effect, two oval portions of the sink bottom - where it joins the side - have been raised higher than the surface of a half-filled sink.

O United States Patent H 1 1111 3,729,750 Giglio 5] May 1, 1973 [5 LAVATORY SINK CONSTRUCTION 273,027 1/1951 Switzerland ..4/187 76 I ent r: Gin G' li 105 W t 13th St t, M 0 E Y. tee Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-Donald B. Massenberg [22] Filed: Sept. 10, 1970 Azt0rneyMeyer A. Gross 21 A l. 7 l 1 PP- NO 1,187 57 ABSTRACT A lavatory, sink, tank, or the like, having a fluid-con- [52] US. Cl. ..4/187 taming basin with a hose or pivotally mounted fluid [51] Int. Cl. ..E03c l/l4, E030 l/l8 I d d [58] Field of Search H 4/166 173 m et sp1got lmensione to exten to a position over- 5 lymg the lateral edges of the basin. The basm itself 1s contoured with at least two oppositely disposed splash columns along the side walls thereof, positioned ad- [56] RefFrences C'ted jacent to the side walls, where the pivotally mounted UNITED STATES PATENTS fluid inlet spigot radius and side wall meet, the columns being arcuate 1n horizontal cross section 824,454 6/1906 Vanderman ..4/173 along the ide walls and contoured SO that water 1,572,412 2/1926 Va lher ..4/187 impinging upon the top Surface f the column f the fluid inlet nozzle or hose will be deflected towards UlC the opposlte s1de of the basin. In effect, two oval por- 2,026,804 l/l936 Sterling 4/l66 X tions of the Sink bottom where it joins the Side FQREIGN PATENTS QR APPLICATIONS have; bein raised higher than the surface of a half- 1 e sin 502,684 3/1939 Great Britain ..4/173 771,860 4/1957 Great Britain ..4/187 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures LAVATORY SINK CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of liquid containers and lavatories or sinks having a fluid-containing basin, and serves to provide means facilitating the rinsing of the basin when necessary, the mixing of contents, and permitting relatively splash-free introduction of fluid to the basin.

A variety of sink structures have been evolved for use as lavatories, kitchen sinks, or the like in which the filling of the basin provided by the sink is accomplished by means of a hose or pivotally mounted spigot which may be moved to direct the incoming fluid to any portion of the sink or lavatory basin.

The pivotally mounted spigot is usually dimensioned of a length such as to extend a distance to permit the user to select the point of introduction of fluid into the basin. Generally, the length of the spigot is such that it may be swung sideways, and though water can be directed downward to one side or the other of the conventionally employed central discharge opening in the basin to facilitate basin wash down, it is often found that there are accumulations of material on the lower side walls of the basin which require manual removal, and are not subject to being washed down directly by the inflow. Additionally, when filling, the fluid coming from the spigot falls a relatively great distance and splashes into the fluid already in the basin.

It is with the above considerations in mind, that the present improved sink or lavatory construction has been evolved providing means whereby fluid may be introduced into the basin of the sink or lavatory in a fashion such that the walls of the sink or lavatory are washed down. Additionally, the incoming fluid may be so introduced as to minimize splashing and to insure desired mixing of the contents of the basin when necessary.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention to provide a sink or lavatory construction serving to implement the facility with which the basin of said sink or lavatory may be washed down.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sink or lavatory construction in which the admission of fluid to the basin of said sink or lavatory may be selectively controlled to implement mixture of the contents of the basin, or wash down of the side walls.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sink or lavatory in which fluid or suds as a liquid may be introduced with minimal splashing.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by forming the basin of a sink, tank, or lavatory with two vertical fluid deflecting splash columns proximate the side walls of the basin, and a hose or pivotally mounted nozzle of a dimension such that the fluid discharge end of the nozzle may be selectively positioned over the columns top surface. The column is arcuately contoured in vertical cross section and has a liquid deflecting surface with a lower discharge surface terminating at an angle substantially perpendicular to the force of gravity so that fluid impinging on the column will be deflected towards the opposite side wall of the basin. As a result of this arrangement, by movement of the nozzle or hose to overlie the column on one side of the basin, fluid may be deflected to flow toward the opposite side wall of the basin, implementing the rapid wash down of the side walls of the basin after use.

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that the fluid deflecting columns may readily be incorporated in connection with standard existing sink or lavatory designs.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that the columns permit the introduction of fluid into the basin of a lavatory or sink without causing splashing of the contents of the basin, since the fluid may be directed into the basin by the fluid passing over the surface and down the column side surface into the basin.

A further feature of the invention resides in the fact that the columns may be employed as soap and utensil holders.

The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be particularly pointed out in clear, concise and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a sink made in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating the path of fluid flow as a result of impingement of fluid on the left hand column as viewed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cutaway cross-sectional view of the column as seen in FIG. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be employed to designate like parts.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the invention is illustrated as embodied in connection with a lavatory 10 having a fluid-containing basin 12 formed therein. The lavatory may also be a sink or tank. The basin 12 is illustratively shown as having side walls I4 and 15 contoured to transition gradually into bottom wall 17. Front wall 18 (see FIG. 3) and rear wall 19 are similarly joined. to bottom wall 17 by a gradually contoured transition as is conventional. At the low point of the bottom wall 17, a drain opening 20 is formed as in the conventional lavatory or sink construction. The top peripheral flange 22, and skirts (not shown), in the illustrated embodiment may be employed in conventional fashion. It will, of course, be understood by those skilled in the art, that the specific contours of the sink, and the mode of manufacture will determine whether skirts are employed or not. The illustrated lavatory or sink may readily be made of vitreous china, or enamel cast iron. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, fluid valve controls 24 and 26 are shown on the left and righthand side of the rear skirt of the sink. It will, of course, be understood by those skilled in the art that a single water control may be employed within the scope of the invention should such be desired.

In accordance with the invention, two oval water' deflecting splash columns 30, 32 are formed adjacent the side walls 14 and 15 and proximate the rear wall 19 of the basin 12. While oval is the preferred shape, the column is not limited to this shape. The location of the column is where a pivotally mounted fluid inlet spigot radius and side wall meet. Columns 30, 32 as viewed in axial cross section, as best seen in FIG. 5 are formed with a substantially vertical top portion 34 extending downwardly to an arcuate transition surface 36 leading to a substantially horizontal exit surface 38. The actual shape of the surface resembles a wave formation or scallop. it is preferred that the slope of the surface 34 be either truly vertical, or slightly inclined angled outwardly (up to about from the vertical) from the side walls 14 and 15, respectively of the basin. Lower horizontal surface 38 may be angled from 15 above true horizontal to 15 below true horizontal, it being desired that the exit surface be angled substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity pull. Depending downwardly from surface 38 is an oval shaped or right circular cylindrical side wall 40, 42 which merges with the side walls 15, 14 and with the lower wall 17. v

The lavatory is provided with a pivotal spigot or spout 44 of a conventional type having a downward water discharge outlet 46, with the spigot 44 positioned midway between the columns 30, 32, and of a length dimension such that the water outlet 46 of spigot 44 may be arranged vertically above the columns 30, 32. In place of the spigot, a hose may be used to introduce fluid into the basin.

The sink, lavatory, or tank or the like fluid-containing basin embodying the teachings of this invention is fabricated utilizing conventional techniques, so that the desired sink, lavatory, or the like, may be formed of vitreous china, of enameled cast iron sheet or stamped metal, or molded of a variety of plastics, etc., in conventional fashion. The desired contours of the sink may be formed in a rectangular, square, oval or round basin and formed with flanges and skirt, or formed for use as an inset in vanitoriums or the like. The sink or lavatory formed in desired shape is provided with a pivotal spigot 44, arranged as conventionally at the center of the rear thereof, and the desired sink or lavatory is formed with the above-described fluid-deflecting columns 30, 32.

In use, by positioning of the outlet 46 of spigot 44 over column 30 on the left side of the sink or lavatory, fluid coming from the spigot will be deflected by the column toward the opposite wall of the lavatory. Depending on the force of the fluid admitted through the outlet 46 of spigot 44 or hose, or which portion of the deflecting surface is struck, the fluid will be deflected by the column 30 and particularly the wave or scallop formation to contact the opposite surface, or fall along the adjacent side walls.

It will be observed that the column in addition to providing for the desired wash down function, also provides l) a soap and utensils retaining rest, 2) means for directing the fluid being directed into the basin so that a swirling action is produced to provide desired mixture of the contents of the basin where such is desired, and 3) an ability to fill the basin with minimal splashing, since by directing fluid onto the column, particularly at low flow, rather than directly into the contents of the basin, splashing is reduced.

The sink or lavatory incorporating the fluid-deflecting column may be readily fabricated in conventional fashion with no increase in costs, and without interfering with desired esthetic effects.

t is understood that a plurality of columns may be located along either side to compensate for varying lengths of spigots.

Having described the invention that which is sought to be protected is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A sink comprising: a liquid containing basin having at least two opposed side walls and having front and rear walls, and a vertical column formed in one of said side walls located within said basin; said column being contoured with an exit surface directed towards the opposite side wall of said basin, the upper surface portion of said sink side wall directly above said column being substantially vertical and oriented at an angle in a range from 90 to true horizontal to an angle of to true horizontal outwardly from the interior of said basin; said upper surface portion extending downwardly for approximately half the height of said side wall to an arcuate transition surface leading to a substantially horizontal exit surface; said exit surface being oriented at an angle of between 0 and 15 below true horizontal, and a spigot pivotally mounted adjacent said rear wall such that said spigot may swing horizontally to opposite sides of said basin; said spigot being of such length that it extends over said side wall of said basin at the location of said column.

2. A sink as in claim I, in which a column is formed on each side wall of said basin.

3. The invention according to claim 1, the surface of the column having a liquid deflecting surface.

4. The invention according to claim 1, the basin having opposed front and rear sides.

5. The invention according to claim 1, said column being arcuate in a horizontal cross section.

6. A sink as in claim 1, in which said exit wall is at an angle between true horizontal and 15 below true horizontal.

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1. A sink comprising: a liquid containing basin having at least two opposed side walls and having front and rear walls, and a vertical column formed in one of said side walls located within said basin; said column being contoured with an exit surface directed towards the opposite side wall of said basin, the upper surface portion of said sink side wall directly above said column being Substantially vertical and oriented at an angle in a range from 90* to true horizontal to an angle of 75* to true horizontal outwardly from the interior of said basin; said upper surface portion extending downwardly for approximately half the height of said side wall to an arcuate transition surface leading to a substantially horizontal exit surface; said exit surface being oriented at an angle of between 0* and 15* below true horizontal, and a spigot pivotally mounted adjacent said rear wall such that said spigot may swing horizontally to opposite sides of said basin; said spigot being of such length that it extends over said side wall of said basin at the location of said column.
 2. A sink as in claim 1, in which a column is formed on each side wall of said basin.
 3. The invention according to claim 1, the surface of the column having a liquid deflecting surface.
 4. The invention according to claim 1, the basin having opposed front and rear sides.
 5. The invention according to claim 1, said column being arcuate in a horizontal cross section.
 6. A sink as in claim 1, in which said exit wall is at an angle between true horizontal and 15* below true horizontal. 